Assistant Nurse Manager - Registered Nurse Memorial Hermann houston, Texas, United States
Background: The implementation of a personalized nursing staffing model in the Advanced Heart Failure Intermediate Unit aimed to provide tailored, consistent care for a patient with complex, high-acuity conditions. Prolonged hospital stays and multiple comorbidities lead to physical and emotional challenges, requiring a specialized approach to address medical and psychological needs.
Methods: The personalized nursing staffing model in the HFIMU significantly differed from traditional staffing models by reducing the patient-to-nurse ratio from 4:1 or 3:1 to 2:1, allowing for more individualized care. A select dedicated team of nurses provided continuous support, focusing on both the physical and emotional needs of the patient. Specific methods included frequent, one-on-one assistance with mobility exercises, such as sitting at the edge of the bed, standing with support, and walking short distances, which would not have been possible with a higher nurse-to-patient ratio. Nurses also prioritized daily activities, ensuring the patient was regularly out of bed for meals and using the commode, tasks previously overwhelming for the patient. Emotional support was equally crucial; nurses spent time engaging with the patient through simple conversations, such as discussing recipes or playing games, to build rapport and reduce feelings of isolation. By establishing a consistent, trusting relationship, nurses encouraged the patient to actively participate in therapy, offering verbal encouragement and physical assistance during sessions like range-of-motion exercises. This personalized approach allowed for tailored care that addressed the patient’s specific physical limitations and mental health challenges, resulting in marked improvements in mobility, emotional stability, and overall recovery.
Outcome: The introduction of the personalized nursing staffing model in the HFIMU played a pivotal role in helping a patient overcome stalled progress. Before the model’s implementation, the patient, severely deconditioned and emotionally withdrawn, struggled to make progress despite medical interventions. She was resistant to therapy, had difficulty sitting up or repositioning herself, and struggled with trust, preventing meaningful engagement with staff.
The new model reduced the ratio to 2:1 and introduced a dedicated, hand-selected team of nurses committed to providing continuous, focused care. This enabled the nurses to spend more one-on-one time with the patient, assisting with mobility and daily activities like sitting up, standing, and walking. As a result, the patient regained physical strength, achieving milestones that had previously seemed unattainable.
Emotional engagement was also prioritized. Nurses took time to connect with the patient through conversations and encouragement, which helped reduce her anxiety and resistance to therapy. Over time, as trust developed with the dedicated team, the patient became more willing to participate in rehabilitation. This personalized, consistent care led to significant improvements in both physical mobility and emotional well-being, highlighting the profound impact of a specialized, individualized nursing team
Conclusion: The personalized nursing staffing model significantly improved the patient’s recovery through a dedicated team offering consistent, tailored care. This approach addressed the patient's physical and emotional needs, fostering independence in daily tasks, increasing engagement, and promoting a sense of control, ultimately supporting the patient’s readiness for medical discharge.
